Deputies: Wellford resident grabs intruder's gun, kills him

The Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office says a resident turned the tables on what appears to be two would-be robbers by grabbing one of the suspect's guns and fatally shooting a man in the face.

By Jenny Arnoldjennifer.arnold@shj.com

Charges likely will not be filed against a homeowner who shot and killed a would-be robber during a home invasion in Wellford Tuesday night, authorities said.The resident turned the tables on two men by grabbing one of the suspect's guns and fatally shooting one of the men in the face, according to the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office.Delano Anthony Turner, 21, of Wellford, was pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting at 11:49 p.m., according to a written statement from the Spartanburg County Coroner's Office. An autopsy has been scheduled, and toxicology tests are pending.Shortly after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, deputies responded to a reported home invasion at 203 Tanglewood Road in the Wellford area. They found a man, who was wearing plastic gloves, lying in front of a neighboring home. An incident report states that the man's pants were around his knees. He was bleeding from the face, and there was blood on his gloved hands.A female resident of the home told deputies she was playing with her iPad on the couch, listening to music through headphones, when she felt something cold and metallic against her head, according to an incident report. She turned to see a man holding a gun to her head. She yelled for her husband, who came and fought with the suspect. During the struggle, the suspect dropped his gun, and a second suspect standing in the kitchen fired one shot at the resident. The resident then picked up with first suspect's gun and returned fire, apparently striking Turner in the head, according to the statement.“At this point in our investigation it does not appear that any charges will be filed against the resident who shot and killed the suspect,” Lt. Tony Ivey said in a written statement. “It appears he was defending himself and his wife from two armed intruders who entered their home and then the one intruder who shot at him.”The couple, who did not wish to be interviewed Wednesday afternoon, said that deputies were still at their home looking for evidence.“We're OK, thank God,” the woman said.According to a criminal history from the State Law Enforcement Division, Turner had an adult arrest record dating back to 2008. It includes arrests for aggravated assault and battery, resisting arrest, second-degree assault, first-degree burglary and trespassing. He was served some time in prison after being sentenced on an aggravated assault charged under the Youthful Offender Act. He went back to prison in 2010 after a parole revocation, according to SLED.The Sheriff's Office reports that the investigation into the case is ongoing, and deputies still are looking for the second suspect. Anyone with information about the case may call CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIMESC.

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